Sony announces super premium Android Auto head unit

Sony is stepping its head unit game up this year. The last generation Android Auto featured a 6.4-inch resistive touch screen that the new XAV-AX5000 is trading in for a large 6.95-inch capacitive panel. Sadly, this display size increase means we also lose the volume knob.

Fortunately the buttons at the bottom as well as the panel they’re in are made out of aluminum. The whole thing is described as “astonishingly flat” with a flush display and a rear that takes up 23% less space than the previous model and a single-DIN protrusion for easier install into tight spaces. The unit also features two USB ports and FLAC support.

Unfortunately, Sony hasn’t commented on the presence of wireless Android Auto connectivity that Kenwood has promised in its future units. Hopefully we won’t need to use a USB cable, though it seems that Sony brings up the USB ports as for iPhone and Android device connections.

No price was given, but it will likely be a bit more expensive than the previous gen unit that debuted at $500. Nonetheless, it’s good to see Sony pushing Android Auto as it improves. I might have to pick one of these up.